Betty leaves over P500K agricultural damage to Batanes

Severe Tropical Storm Betty exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday, leaving behind more than P500,000 worth of damage and losses to the agriculture sector in Batanes.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras”, the losses in the agriculture production in the province hard hit by the tropical cyclone totaled P587,460 as of June 1.

Catalino Ybay, one of the affected farmers, appealed for help as the strong winds stirred by Betty flattened 1,000 of his corn crops scheduled for harvest this month.

“Wala naman nagpapautang dito. Depende rin kung magbibigay ‘yung DA (Department of Agriculture). Sana matulungan yung lahat ng nasirang pananim dito sa Batanes,” he said.

(There are no loans for farmers here. It would depend if the DA will provide assistance. I hope they can help us.)

The Batanes government distributed free seedlings, and food packs to the affected farmers and their families, the report said.

Local officials would also provide temporary employment for impacted fisherfolks.

Meanwhile, a total of 56 passengers were still stranded in the province after the sole flight going to Manila was canceled due to the powerful winds.

Rotational brownouts will also be implemented in Batanes from 12 noon to 10 p.m. due to the dwindling fuel supply in the province’s power plants.

On Monday, Governor Marilou Cayco said the province is dealing with power outages as delivery of fuel supply for electricity lines is delayed due to the tropical cyclone.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News